Challenge A key business objective for Penrice was reducing reliance on costly domestic water supplies through the use of available bore water. This water however was extremely saline and high in dissolved iron. The challenge therefore was to find a cost effective way of treating this bore water to an ultra-pure quality of less than 5uS/cm, enabling its use in manufacturing processes.

Solution Osmoflo's solution was a scalable reverse osmosis plant designed to cater for upto 65% of water needs at the facility. Pre-treatment, including multimedia filtration, ensures that feed water to the reverse osmosis facility is of high quality, improving efficiency. Three process trains have been installed with room for a fourth if required. As a further efficiency measure the RO concentrate is utilsied in soda ash and sodium bicarbonate manufacturing processes, minimising waste discharge. The plant has been provided under a Build Own Operate contract. Osmoflo owns, operates and maintains the facility with Penrice paying fees based on water usage. Operational performance is further enhanced through the use of Osmoflo's proprietary PlantConnect remote management and control system.

Result Penrice has a secure, cost effective water source and has boosted its environmental credentials by reducing its draw on Adelaide's potable water supply.